[The Dalai Lama leading his troops in 1950.]
The Battle of Chamdo |
Leading The Nation To Peace |
It was 1950 when China invaded Tibet. Angered by the free Tibets the Chinese struck Chamdo with plans to take most, if not the whole country. Knowing that Tibetan freedom was on the line, the 15 year old Dalai Lama and the Tibetans fought back.
Warfare wreaked havoc on Chamdo causing 21 different battles and killing more than 10,000 people. Gunfire could be heard from miles away.
The Dalai Lama showed great leadership when he helped end the war. Tibet lost most rights given by the Tibetan government. They also lost most of their money after being looted by the Chinese soldiers in order to help pay for the Communist Revolution back in China. The Dalai Lama took the full leadership role in Tibet after the war was over, but unfortunately the Tibetan Delegation was forced to sign the 17-Point Agreement. This was an agreement promising China "A Peaceful Liberation of Tibet" meaning that that China could take control of Tibet peacefully. |
The Dalai Lama tried multiple times to come to an understanding with China, but being the leader in peaceful protests aginst The People's Republic of China wasn't an easy task.
Later in 1959, the Dalai Lama spoke with chairman Mao Zedong about Tibetan freedom and was denied, but as resilient as the Tibetans were they had a plan. They formed a resistance that again failed majorly. When the Chinese soldiers retaliated against the resistance they killed more than 87,000 people, and in fear for his life, the Dalai Lama was forced to flee, and was protected by a wall of Tibetan citizens blocking the path between the soldiers and the fleeing Dalai Lama. The citizens were afraid that the soldiers might try to capture him so they stood their ground. He fled to India where he continued making plans to gain Tibetan freedom and peace. Even as years passed the Dalai Lama refused to give up. Even through the Cultural Revolution from 1958-1976 where the Chinese tortured and imprisoned the Tibetans for believing in Buddhism. He still protested against the Chinese Empire. Still LeadingTo this day at age 79, the Dalai Lama still leads protests for Tibetan freedom and peace. This year in 2014 he has been giving teachings about world peace, and the paths to enlightenment.
The 14th Dalai Lama is one of the biggest and most resilient leaders in the world because even though the goal to gain freedom and peace for Tibet hasn't been reached yet, he still fights, and has been fighting for 64 years straight. |